Parliament’s presidential election: candidates’ presentations

The election of a new European Parliament President began with three-minute speeches by the six candidates, outlining their ideas on how to lead the chamber over the next two and half years. Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE) withdrew his candidature before the vote. MEPs then proceeded to cast their votes in the first round.

To view the video, click on the candidate’s name.

(ENF, RO)

Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK)

Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NLG, IT)

Helga Stevens (ECR, BE)

Gianni Pittella (S&D, IT)

Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT)

The ballot is secret and may last up to four rounds. Candidates may withdraw and new ones may enter the contest before the second and third ballot. The outcome of the first round is expected to be announced soon after 11.00.

If no candidate wins an absolute majority of valid votes cast in the first three ballots, the two best-scoring candidates in the third round will go through to a fourth round, in which the President will be elected by a simple majority.

Parliament’s Vice-Presidents and Quaestors will be elected on Wednesday.

Watch the election via EP Live

Follow @EuroParlPress #EPresident for updates

REF. : 20170113IPR58026